Method of and apparatus for forming two-ply folded tape



Nov. 21, 1933. M. c. DODGE 1,936,291

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING TWO-FLY FOLDED TAPE Filed July 30, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l gwuantoz 2 MLLO CHDOCZF/P/I W dttomqs Nov. 21, 1933. Q DODGE 1,936,291

METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING TWO-FLY FOLDED TAPE Filed July 30, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 21, 1933 UNITED STATES METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR FORM ING TWO-PLY FOLDED TAPE Milo 0. Dodge, Auburn, N. Y., assignor to Columbian Rope Company, Auburn, N. corporation of New York Application July 30, 1931. Serial No. 554,095

' 6 Claims. (01. 270-86) My invention relates to a novel method and apparatus for making tape, and has to do, more particularly, with the manufacture of two-ply folded tape of narrower widths than heretofore commercially possible.

It is the primary object of my invention to provide a method and apparatus by which two-ply folded tape of extreme narrow width may be commercially manufactured in any length.

It is an object of my invention to provide a method and apparatus by which narrow two-ply folded tape may be made in uniform width.

Another object of my invention is to provide an apparatus for making two-ply impregnated paper tape which is simple, inexpensive, free from tendency to clog or jam, widely adjustable in all respects, and which may be easily threaded with the ribbon from which tape is to be formed.

Further objects and objects relating to details and economies of construction and operation will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow. In one instance, I accomplish the objects of my invention by the means set forth in the following specification. My invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the appended claims. A structure constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure l is a top view of apparatus constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the apparatus taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the apparatus taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view of the apparatus taken on the line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55- of Fig. 2, showing the construction of the ribbon guiding block;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2, showing the construction of the tape folding block;

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the tape folding block, and

Fig. 8 is a sectional view. taken on the line 8-8 of Fig. 2, showing the construction of the guide block through which the tape passes after being folded. I

In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the several views.

In general, my invention consists in first slightly creasing or scoring a narrow ribbon of flexible 55 material along a line exactly parallel to one edge of the ribbon which line may or may-not be its longitudinal center, depending upon. whether the plies of the tape are, or are not to be of identical width, subsequently folding over the portions'separated by the crease or score, and flattening out the thusfolded ribbon so that the tendency to unfold is eliminated. The apparatus comprises, broadly, a roll having a groove, a creasing wheel having a rib or edge which normally runs in the groove, a guide member for accurately guiding the ribbon with respect to the rib and groove, and a member having a slot through which the creased ribbon is passed, the slot having walls which converge in the direction in which the ribbon is drawn and whicheffect folding of the ribbon on the line of the creaseto provide twoply folded tape. Referring to the numbered parts of the drawings, the disclosed tape making apparatus constituting a preferred embodiment of my invention comprises a base 10, standard .11, havinga pair of bosses 12, between which a roll 14 is journaled on screws 13 by which lateral adjustment of said roll may be effected. Roll 14 is grooved at 15 and a creasing wheel 16 having a rib or edge 17 which 8 runs in groove 15 is mounted in the standard 11. The mounting for the wheel 16 consists of a member 18 having asquare stem portion 19 which is slidably received in a square aperture 20 in the upper portion of the standard 11. The lower 5 portion of the member -18,is provided with an aperture 21, a portion 21a of which is threaded and a portion 21b which is enlarged. A stud shaft 22 having a bearing portion 22a, a threaded portion 22b and a slotted head portion 220 is mount-1. ed in the aperture 21 of member 18, and carries upon its end 22b the creasing wheel 16. A washer 23 and a screw 24 threaded into the end of shaft 22 retains the wheel 16 upon the shaft. A similar screw 26 is threaded into the other end of shaft 22 for a purpose later to be disclosed. For the purpose of urging the edge 17 of creasing wheel 16 into ribbon creasing engagement with the groove 15 of roll 14, a spring 27 is pro vided which bears upon the end of stem 19. A housing 28 formed integral with the standard 11, a cover plate 29, and an adjusting screw 30, provide support and adjustment for the spring 27. A wheel lifting device consisting of a yoke 31, engaging the heads 24a and 26a of screws 24 and 26, and -a handle 32 is fulcrumed upon the pin 33, which is attached to the, standard 11. A receptacle 34 containing a quantity of impregnating fluid such as oil and dye is provided with a roller 25 beneath which the ribbon A is drawn prior to the creasing thereof, so that a quantity of impregnating fluid is absorbed by the ribbon. A scraper blade is provided for removing excess impregnating fluid from the ribbon A as it leaves the receptacle to be creased by wheel16 and groove 15. A guide member consisting of anotched block 36 anda cover plate 37 is detachably mounted upon the standard 11 by cap screws 38, thereby providing interchangeability with blocks 36 having notches of various widths, so that the same machinemay be used with ribbon of various widths. Upon the other side of the standard and similarly mounted by cap screws 39 is a second block 40 .which effects folding of the ribbon afterit has beenslightly creased by the wheel 16 and roll 14. Block 40 has a vertical slot 41, the entrance end 41a of which is as wide as the slightly creased ribbon which leaves the wheel 16. The walls of the slot ,,41 converge in the direction in which the ribbon isdrawn, so that the width of theslotadjacent its outlet end;41b is approximately equal to only twice the' thickness of the ribbon, and "the rib- 25 b0n asit passes through the slotis foldedto form' two-ply flat tape. yA' cover plate 42 pivoted'at one end to the block 40 and having a hooked end 43 engageable with a screw 44ythreaded in the block retains the ribbon in the slot, but'may be swung aside to uncover the slot and facilitate initial threading of the ribbon therethrough. The

end of he-base 1O opposite the receptacle 34 is elei vated to substantially the level of slot 41 and a block'45 ,is held pressed thereagainst by means of a pair of cap screws 46 andsprings 4'7 disposed thereon. Block'45has its underside horizontally notched to provide a guide slot 48 for, the tape, and since the guide slot 48 is at right'angles to slot 41, the tape is given a slight twist asit passes ,4 from slot 41 through slot 48.

'Fromthe above description of the apparatus,

;its operation should be clear. Ribbon A is ,led beneath roll 25, and is impregnated "with "fluid such as oil anddye, the excess fluid is re- ,moved'by scraper blade 35,; the ribbon passes throughguide block 36 which guides it with respect to the edge 17ofwheel 16 which presses ,itjinto groove 15 and "forms a crease or score therein. The thus creased ribbon then-passes throughlslot 41, is folded on its crease line, is

given a quarter of a turn, passes through guide slot 48 and may then be spooled in rolls by conventional apparatus '(not shown). Two-ply folded kr'ait paper tape having a ply or plies as narrow as g g of an inch may'thus'be formed accurately and-atgreat speed} Such tape may 7 be used for many purposes, Kraft-paper tape ot-an inch in width is particularly useful for-weav- ;ing' into insulating-fabric coverings for electrical conductors; I

While I have disclosed a method and apparatus particularly well adapted for the manufacture of kraft papertape of narrow width, itflis to be distinctly understood that ribbon composed of other materials such as cloth, metalifoil, paper, etc, may be similarly formed into multi-ply folded'tape. 7

' Likewise, while the. disclosed apparatus embodying my invention is designed to'form two- 'posed: with respect to the creasing wheel and ply'tape having plies of equal width, by the use of "guideblocks having slots eccentrically disgrooved roll, the crease and foldmay be made *along'a line 'other' than the center line of the ribbon and the tape thus formed will/have one ply of greater width than the other ply. Such :tape, means for providing a longitudinal crease tape has especial value for the formation of threeply insulating wrappings upon electrical conductors. These and other changes within the scope of my invention will readily appear to one skilled in the art to which my invention pertains. 8

1 I, therefore, claim myinvention broadly as indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim is: 1. In an apparatus for making two-ply folded inthe ribbon fronrwhich the tape is to be formed,

said means comprising a roll having a groove therein and a creasing wheel having an edge which runs inthe groove of said roll, means for guiding said-ribbon with respect to said creasing wheeLand-a member having a slot therein which is-alined with the creasing wheel, the walls of said slot converging in the direction away from the wheel, and a cover plate for said slot for retaining the ribbon therein as it is being passed therethrough and folded, said plate being capable of movement to uncover said slot and facilitate initial threading oi the ribbon therethrough.

2. In an apparatus for-making two-ply folded tape, means for providing a longitudinal crease' loo -in the ribbon from which the tape is to be formed,

wheel, and a second member having a slot dis-.

posed at right angles to the slot of the flrst l member.

3. In an apparatus for making two-ply folded tape, a base, a receptacle on said base for holding impregnating fluid, ribbon immersing means including a roll journaled in said receptacle, 115

scraper blade for removing surplus impregnating fluid from said ribbon as it leaves said roll,

-means for providing alongitudinal crease in the ribbon, said means comprising a roll having a groove therein and a creasing wheel having, an edge which runs in the groove of the first roll, means for guiding said ribbon with respect to said crease forming means, and a member having a slot therein which is alined with the creasing -wheel, the walls of said 'slot converging in the direction away from the rollsto fold the creased ribbon to provide two-ply tape. 7

4. In anapparatus for making two- -ply tape, a base, ribbon impregnating means mounted on said base,'a standard mounted upon said base, a" grooved roll journaled upon said standard, an arm pivoted upon said standard, a creasing wheel journaled upon said arm and having an edgeengageable with the groove of said other roll, means associated with said arm for normally urgingsame to maintain said edge in engagement'with said groove, a handle attached to said arm whereby said arm may be swung to disengage the edge of said wheel from the groove of the roll, means for guiding said ribbon with respect to the edge of said wheel, and a member having a slot therein which is alined with the edge of said wheel, said slot having walls which converge in the direction away from the rolls.

5. In an apparatus for making two-ply tape, a base ribbon impregnating means mounted on said base, a standard mounted upon said base,

a grooved roll journaled upon said standard, an arm pivoted upon said standard, a creasingwheel journaled upon said arm and having an edge' en ageable with the groove of said other roll, means associated with said arm for normally urging same to maintain said edge in engagement with said groove, a handle attached to said arm whereby said arm may be swung to disengage th edge of said wheel from the groove of the roll, means for guiding said ribbon with respect to the edge of said wheel, a member having a slot therein which is alined with the edge of said wheel, said slot having walls which converge in the direction away from the rolls, and a cover plate for said slot for retaining the ribbon therein as it is being passed therethrough and folded, said plate being capable of movement to uncover said slot and facilitate initial threading of the ribbon therethrough.

6. In an apparatus for the continuous formation of narrow two-ply tape, creasing means comprising a roll having an annular groove formed in its surface and a creasing wheel having an edge which runs in said groove, means for directing flat ribbon stock tangentially between the surface of said roll and the edge of said wheel, said means including a guide member at the entrant side of said creasing wheel and roll and having a shallow ribbon-directing slot of the same width as said ribbon and tangentially alined with respect to the surface of said roll, and means for longitudinally folding said ribbon as it leaves said creasing wheel and roll to form two-ply flat tape, said means comprising a second member disposed at the other side of said creasing wheel and roll and having a slot in alinement with the slot of said first member, the width of which slot is equal to only twice the thickness of said ribbon and the depth of which is at least one-half the Width of said first-mentioned slot.

MILO C. DODGE. 

